Dakin Humane Society honored six people, one company and a guide dog at its 2025 Humane Awards, which were held at Dakin’s Springfield location on Nov. 13. Meg Talbert, executive director at Dakin, and Kaitlyn Holloway, Dakin’s community engagement manager, presided over the award ceremony.
The winners of the 2025 Dakin Humane Awards are:
Katelin Welles — The Richard & Nathalie Woodbury Philanthropy Humane Award. This award is bestowed to a leader (or leaders) in the community whose contributions are transformational and demonstrate extraordinary dedication. Welles is a Navy veteran and a former addiction counselor who currently volunteers as a wildlife rehabilitator.
Trystan Candelario — The Youth Humane Award. This award honors a hero, 16 or younger, who displays extraordinary care and compassion to make a difference in the lives of animals, and makes the world a kinder and gentler place.
Dr. Lauren Atkins – The Frances M. Wells Humane Award. This award, named for the Greenfield Animal Shelter’s benefactor, is given to an individual recognized for notable contributions to the health and welfare of animals. After launching her career in animal welfare 28 years ago in South Carolina, Atkins eventually moved north and became the first veterinarian hired when Dakin moved into its Springfield location. She also spent a decade at Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, continuing to improve shelter medicine and the quality of care for thousands of animals. Atkins founded Paws Finding Peace, a practice dedicated to at-home euthanasia that allows families to say goodbye to beloved pets with dignity and love.
Melissa Dawn Vancini — The Champion Humane Award. This award honors an individual who serves in the public or non-profit sector who has faithfully made life better for tens of thousands of animals and people. Vancini is founder of Missing Mutts Search & Rescue, a volunteer-based, nonprofit group that helps reunite lost pets with their owners through free search and rescue services.
Bernie (guide dog) and attorney David Roulston – The Distinguished Animal Humane Award. This award recognizes an exceptional animal (and human handler) whose extraordinary devotion to people has proved transformative or lifesaving in challenging or exceptional circumstances.
Berkshire Bank — Corporate Leadership Humane Award. This award is presented to a business or its corporate foundation that demonstrates outstanding commitment to improve the lives of animals through employee giving, volunteerism or partnership.
Charlotte Cathro — Janet Wilder Dakin Lifetime Achievement Humane Award. This award is bestowed to a person whose life’s work has exhibited exemplary leadership, selfless commitment, passion, and extraordinary dedication to advancing animal welfare.
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The Amherst Survival Center announces the appointment of Carleen Basler as its new executive director.
Basler has served as interim executive director since October 2025. She previously served as director of programming beginning in 2019.
Basler connection to the Amherst Survival Center spans nearly a decade. She first joined the center in October 2019 as a volunteer coordinator.
